As our name implies, we don’t like to be the bearer of bad news. But sometimes we feel it’s important to bring about some more unfortunate news in order to motivate better decisions regarding our planet. In this case, new research has found that balloons are the number one marine debris risk of death for seabirds. That’s right, the balloons we buy for a few moments of temporary happiness are raising havoc for birds, as well as turtles and other sea creatures. While most of the debris ingested by seabirds is hard plastic, researchers say it is far less likely to kill than soft plastics such as balloons. And with 40 to 50 million balloons being sold in California alone each year, we are not doing birds any favors. Sure, the party might feel a bit incomplete without balloons, but rather than continuing to buy balloons and turning the planet into a potentially inhospitable place, we should embrace the fact that we have the knowledge to correct our course here. And then celebrate it…without balloons.
Why you should stop buying birthday balloons
More of Today's Solutions
Artemis II shows the moon can still unite a divided world
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When 15 Girl Scouts in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, gathered to watch the Artemis II launch, troop leader ...
Read MoreLight, scent, and sound: the free home refresh you haven’t tried yet
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM You've arranged the furniture. You've put up the art. The room looks fine. But it still feels a ...
Read MoreTransforming migrant rhetoric is key in preventing genocides
The recent outbreak of war in Ukraine has forced many refugees to seek safety in countries throughout Europe. They are one part of a ...
Read MorePoland protects 10 of its most ancient forests by proclaiming ban on logging
In a significant step toward environmental conservation, Poland's newly appointed climate and environment minister, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, declared a half-year halt on logging in ten ...
Read More
